We have been following energy issues in Europe, especially in Germany. The nation is an economic powerhouse for the continent and had a very challenging time meeting grid demands during a chilly winter.
Despite the problems in making supply meet demand, the nation decided it was wise to proceed with a decision made in 2011 to Germany has now shuttered its last remaining nuclear power plants.
The shutdown of Germany’s last remaining nuclear reactors over the weekend means the country’s power producers have no option but to further accelerate their ongoing energy system overhaul.With natural gas supplies still severely constrained following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the reactor shutdowns mean that two key sources of baseload power have now been disrupted or cut off to Europe’s largest economy.Somewhat offsetting the shake-ups in Germany’s nuclear and gas markets has been a steady surge in renewable energy supplies from solar and wind sites, which generated nearly 40% more electricity in 2022 than nuclear and natural gas sources combined, according to data from think tank Ember.However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources – which leaves them susceptible to sudden drops during cloudy or windless periods – means Germany’s electricity system remains vulnerable to shortages and potential price volatility, despite the growing share of renewables in the generation mix.
This move was made, despite the pleas of many scientists, including two Nobel laureates and professors from MIT and Columbia, to keep the reactors operating.
“In view of the threat that climate change poses to life on our planet and the obvious energy crisis in which Germany and Europe find themselves due to the unavailability of Russian natural gas, we call on you to continue operating the last remaining German nuclear power plants,” the letter states.The Emsland, Isar II and Neckarwestheim II facilities provided more than 10 million German households with electricity, the open letter states. That’s a quarter of the population.“This is hugely disappointing, when a secure low carbon 24/7 source of energy such as nuclear was available and could have continued operation for another 40 years,” Henry Preston, spokesperson for the World Nuclear Association, told CNBC. “Germany’s nuclear industry has been world class. All three of those reactors shut down at the weekend performed extremely well.”
Germany shut down its last three nuclear power plants last week, and suddenly its carbon footprint is the second-highest in Europe behind only Poland, which proudly continues to burn its own coal and doesn’t care to virtue signal with babble about whatever the Polish language equivalent of energiewende is. Here’s the carbon map and energy breakdown for yesterday.
The move has also completely agitated the environmental extremists planning blockades and protests in Berlin.
The group said at a news conference in Berlin that it would begin to stage open-ended protests Wednesday in the government district. From Monday onward, members will try to “peacefully bring the city to a standstill,” it said.Last Generation accuses the German government of breaching the country´s constitution, citing a supreme court verdict two years ago that found too much of the burden for climate change was being placed on younger generations. The government under then Chancellor Angela Merkel subsequently raised its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but activists say the measures aren’t consistent with the Paris climate accord.”As long as there´s no plan we can trust to protect our lives and future, and that´s based on the constitution, we are obliged to demand such a plan with all peaceful means,” said Carla Hinrichs, a spokesperson for Last Generation.The group wants Germany to end the use of all fossil fuels by 2030, a step that would be extremely ambitious to achieve. The country switched off its last three nuclear plants over the weekend, increasing its reliance on coal and gas-fired power plants until sufficient renewable energy capacity is available.
Civilization requires energy. While closing older nuclear power plants would be a good idea if replacement plants were already constructed. Germany will have to rely more on fossil fuels because the green technology promises are not ready to meet need realities.
I discussed this topic, among several others, during my recent appearance on the Canto Talk Show.
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